Condenser switching apparatus



Oct. 18, 1927.

V. E. GOODWIN CONDENSER SWITCHING APPARATUS Filed May l2, 1924 Inventor` Vctr EGQodwn, by

H FS Attorney.

Patented Oct. 18, L1927.

UNiTED STA-'TES man -rATENr-- OFFICE.

'VCTOR E. GOODWIN, OF PITTSFIELD, MASSAGHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO GENERAL ELEC- TRIO COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

CONDENSEB SWITCHING APPARATUS.

Application led May 12, 1924. Serial No. 712,58.

My invention relates to an alternating current system in which static condensers are employed for the purpose bf improving the power factor of the circuit. In' a system of this nature, throwing the condenser directly on and oit lthe line gives rise to objectionable surges. These may be reduced by the use of series resistances but for economicereasons it is not desirable to employ lresistances permanently connected` .in circuit with the condensers. It is nevertheless very desirable to allow the condeiisers'to discharge through a resistance as soon as they are taken oii the line. An object of my invention therefore is to provide in a system of the type noted above an improved means whereby the condensers may be thrown on and oit the line without caus-l ing objectionable surges thereon and where-A by the condensers after being disconnected from the line may quickly be discharged.

My invention will be better understood from the following description taken in connecton with the accompanying drawing, and its scope will be pointed out in the appended claims. h

in the drawing, Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic representation of my invention; Fig. 2 is a similar representation of a modified form, and 3 shows a switch partly in cross section which may .comprise a part of th apparatus shown in Fig. 2. j Referring first to Fig. 1, a threeV phase' l line 1 is shown. adapted to be connectedby means of switches 2 tothe static condensers 3 through the resistances .4. iteactanciesl 5 are also shown in the connections to the .condensers which reactances may, for example, produce a reactance drop of about `20 per cent. As shown in Fig. 1 each ofthe three switches 2 comprises 'three pairs. `of sta.- tionary contacts and two cooperating movable contacts. The two upper contacts are .shown somewhat longer than the middle contacts 8 or the lower contacts 9 and the distance between the movable contact arm 10 and the contacts 7 is less than the distance between the contact arm 11 and' the contacts 8. The movable contact arms 1() and w11 of each 4switch are connected to .be shifted by an operating rod 12 and the three rods 12 are connected to cranks 13 on an 'operating shaft 14. When the operating rodl of each ,switch is raised from the. position illustrated in Fig. 1 the lower contact arm 11 is first disengaged from the lower contacts 9.- Continued upward movement of the operating rod first brings the upper contact arm 10 in engagement with the upper contacts 7 Gand3 then as the arm 10 slides over contacts 7 th' lower arm l1 engages contacts 8. With lthe switches connected between the line and the condensers, resistances and reactances as illustrated in Fig. 1 and with the contact arms in their lowermost position, the condensers 3 are short cir- 'cuited through the'iesistances 4. Upon rais-l ing the operating rods l2 the short circuit connection is first opened and then the condensers are connected to the line through the resistances. 'Further upwardv movement of J the operating levers short circuits the resistances, thus in efect connecting the condensers directly to the line. Converselythe reverse movement of the operating levers .pairs of stationary contacts 7 and 8' which correspond in their spacing and in their connections to the upper and middle pairs of contacts -7 and 8 of Fig. 1, the lower pair of contacts 9 of Fig. 1 being incorpo- ,rated in a separatedswitch 16. Thisswitch '16 is shown comprising'three bridging contacts arms 17 which are simultaneously actuated loy an operating rod 18 connected by crank 19 to the shaft 14. In this modiiica-- tion separate resistances 20 are employed and connected to be controlled by the switch 16 through-which resistances the condensers are discharged when thrown oit the line. rlthe operating connection of the switch 16 with shaft 14 is such that the circuits of the lresistances 20 are opened before the condensers are thrown upon the line and are closed after the condensers are taken off the line as in Fig. 1. With the exception that separate 'resistances are employed for initially connecting 'the condensers to the line and for .discharging them, the operation ot the first opens the short circuit across the re- Where the arrangement is like that shown l by Fig. 2, switches of the type illustrated Fig. 3 maybe used for controlling the -nctin the-end x v fone si erofhsaid'j-li'ne and the end of a secondl lconnections between the condensers and the line. This is a standard three phase' double break oil switch in which the middleset of contacts have been replaced by the resistances 4 and the stationarycontacts 7 of one switch is shoWn comprising they usual oil tank 22 supported from the frame 23 with the stationary .contacts carried byinsulating bushings 24, the middle bushing used to support the resistances 4.

While I have described certain embodiments only of my invention, I do not Wish to be limited tothe particular forms shown andv described as it Will be apparent that many modifications therein may be made Without departingy from the scope of my ,invention as set forth in the appended claims.

What I claim as'new and desire to' secure lby Letters Patent ofthe United States, is

1. The process of connecting and disconnecting a condenser with and from a line which consists in connectin rthe condenser With the line with interpose resistance and 'inductance and thereafterA short circuiting the resistance disconnectin the condenser from the line, removing t e short circuitfrom the lresistance, and then disconnectingr the resistance and the condenser from the line and thereafter shuntingthe condenser with saidl resistance.

2. In combination with a three phase line, a delta connection with a' condenser in each side of the delta, each apex of the delta having a separate branch conductor connected thereto, an inductance element and a resistance element in each branch, means for connectin the end of one of said branches with one si e of said line and the end of a. second one of said branches with a secondside of said line and the end of the third one of said branches with the third side of said line,

and for disconnecting said branches froml said line, and for shunting all of the sides of the delta simultaneously after the branches have been disconnected from the,line, means for preventin the sides of the delta from being shunte while the branchesv are connectedlwith said line, means for shunting said resistance elements simultaneously after the branches have been connected to the line, and means for preventin the reistance elements from being shun while the branches are disconnected from the line.

3;"gIn combination with a three phase line,

la. delta connection with a condenser in each d of the delta .each apex of the delta havanpifnductance element and a resist- .in each branch, means forcenf one of sand-branches wlth eparate4 ranch conductor connected one of said branches With a second side of said line and the end of the third one of said branches with thethird side of said line, and for disconnecting said branches from said line, and for shunting all of the sides of the delta simultaneously after the branches have been disconnected from the line, means for preventing the sides of the deltaY from being shunted While the branches are connected with said line, means for shunting said resistance elements simultaneously after the branches have 'been connected to the line.

4. In combination with a three phase line, a delta connection With a condenser in each side of the delta, each apex of the delta having al separate branch conductor connected thereto, an inductance element and a resistance element in each branch, means for connecting the end offone of saidbranches with one side of said line and the endtbf a second one of said branches with a second side ofv said line and the end of the third one of said branches with the third side of said line, and for disconnecting said branches from said line, andk for shunting all ofthe sides of the delta simultaneously afterthe branches have been disconnected from the line,trneans for preventing the sides of the delta from being v shunted While the 'branches are connected with said line, and means for shunting said resistance element simultaneously after the branches have been connected to the line.

5. In combination With a three phase line,

a delta connection With a condenser in each ,t side of the delta, each apex of the delta havv ing aseparate .branch conductor connected thereto, an inductance element and a resistance element inv each branch, means for shunting the sides of the delta simultaneously and for removing said shunt, means for connecting the end' of one of said branches with one side of said line and the end of a second one of said branches With asecond side of said line and the end of the third one of said branches with the third- ,connecting the end of one of. said branches with one sideof said line and the end of a second one of said branches with a second side of said line and the end of the third 'one of said branches With the third side of `said line, and for disconnecting, said branches from said line, and for shunting all of the sides of the "delta simultaneously after the branches have been disconnected from the line, and means for preventing .the

sides of the delta from being shunted while the branches are connected with said line.

7. In combination with a three phase line, a delta connection with a condenser in each side of the delta, each apex of the delta having. a separate branch conductor connected thereto, an inductan'ce element and a resistance element in each branch, means for connecting the end of one of said branches with one side of said line 'and the end of a second one of said branches with a second side of said line and the end of the third one of said branches with the third side of said line, and for disconnecting said branches from said line, and for shunting all of the sides of the deltaV simultaneously after the branches have been disconnected from the line.

8. In combination with a three phase line, a delta connection with a condenser in each side of the delta, each apex of the delta having a separate branch conductor connected thereto, an inductance element and a resistance element in each'branch, means for shunting all of the ysides of the delta simultaneously and al1 the resistance elenents simultaneously, and for connecting said branches each to a separate side of the said line. Y

9. In combination with a three phase line, three condensers, one inter-posed in each side of a delta connection, three branch lines,

one for each apex of the delta, one end of) each branch being lconnected tothe corresponding apex, an inductanceeiment and a' resistance element in each branch connected in series, a switch for connecting the/other end of one of said` branches with ,(xe. side third side of said line, means for shunting the' branches of the delta simultaneous] while the said branches are disconnected from the. Ime, and means for shunting each of said resistance elements While said branchesl are' connectedv with said line, and means for preventing the branches from being shunted While said branches are connected with said line, and means for preventing the resistance elements from being shunted beforefthe said branches are connected with said line. i l 140. In combination with a three phase line, three condensers, one interposed in each side of a delta connection, three branch lines, one for each apex of the delta, one end of each branch'being connected to the corresponding apex, an lnductance element and a resistance element in each branch connectedin series, a. switch Afor connecting the other end of one'of said branches with one side of the three phase line and for connect'ing the other end of a second branch with a second side of said line, and for connecting the other end of a third branch with the" third side of said line, means for shunting the branches of the delta' simultaneously while the said branches are disconnected from the line, and means for' shunting each of said resistance elements while said branches are connected with said line.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 7th day of May, 1924.

VICTOR E. GOODWIN. 

